Of the mentioned "new" venues, I think Pittsburgh would be good. Kansas City and Omaha would be meh. I don't see how Denver can think they're "in the bid cycle" for 5-6 years post 2008 when both Boston and St. Paul are being asked to wait longer, and seeing how there are so many other viable options now than were there last time, let alone if Boston throws in a bid...

My 2 cents - You can cross off Washington (2009), Denver (2008), St. Louis (2007) - just too soon. Then, let's say Boston (2004) bids. They would easily get one of the three. That leaves Buffalo (2003) and the newbys - KC, Omaha and Pittsburgh. Clearly, only one of KC or O-town could be an option, and seeing as it only holds 16,600 for hockey, I don't see Omaha as a viable option. The Sprint Center in KC isn't much better - 17,000 for hockey. Personally, I think Pittsburgh, representing the "now" (Sidney Crosby) market for hockey (wth the current Stanley Cup and a new 18,000 seat rink opening in 2010) wins a FF, with Buffalo as the third.

Edit - I'd love to see Chicago put in a bid. Resurgent NHL market, 22,000 seat building, better area around the rink than 10 years ago (and a great city overall)...

Thoughts?

slurpees

09-15-2009, 02:46 PM

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/15_morecities.php

Of the mentioned "new" venues, I think Pittsburgh would be good. Kansas City and Omaha would be meh. I don't see how Denver can think they're "in the bid cycle" for 5-6 years post 2008 when both Boston and St. Paul are being asked to wait longer, and seeing how there are so many other viable options now than were there last time, let alone if Boston throws in a bid...

My 2 cents - You can cross off Washington (2009), Denver (2008), St. Louis (2007) - just too soon. Then, let's say Boston (2004) bids. They would easily get one of the three. That leaves Buffalo (2003) and the newbys - KC, Omaha and Pittsburgh. Clearly, only one of KC or O-town could be an option, and seeing as it only holds 16,600 for hockey, I don't see Omaha as a viable option. The Sprint Center in KC isn't much better - 17,000 for hockey. Personally, I think Pittsburgh, representing the "now" (Sidney Crosby) market for hockey (wth the current Stanley Cup and a new 18,000 seat rink opening in 2010) wins a FF, with Buffalo as the third.

Edit - I'd love to see Chicago put in a bid. Resurgent NHL market, 22,000 seat building, better area around the rink than 10 years ago (and a great city overall)...

Thoughts?

I agree on writing off Washington and Denver, though St. Louis might be a candidate for the 2015 site, since it'd have been 8 years by then. Though in the next cycle, the other two have to be favorites. I really hope Buffalo doesn't get a bid, it's a boring and ugly city. Pittsburgh would be a nice change, however. I've never been to KC but it seems like it'd be a risk since there's no NHL or college presence, though the NCAA was willing to go for Tampa so who knows. Chicago would be a fantastic choice if it submitted a bid for loads of reasons, it's probably the best site that's the most easily accessible for all 3 major conferences. Certainly if Boston submits a bid they appear to be a shoe-in. Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh would be a solid next 3 sites.

Spydey629

09-15-2009, 02:59 PM

For all the work that the Robert Morris athletic department has put into a bid, it will be almost ridiculous for them not to land the 2013 or 2014 Championship.

This city does well with events. Between the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, two NFL Kickoffs, two Stanley Cup Finals, and next week's G-20 Summit, I think this town has done enough to prove that we can handle a little old college hockey tournament. ;)

moose97

09-15-2009, 03:01 PM

Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh would be a solid next 3 sites.

Couldn't ask for anything more...

Federal League

09-15-2009, 03:04 PM

I'll jump on the Boston-Chicago-Pittsburgh bandwagon. I think those would be the best three options.

dggoddard

09-15-2009, 03:18 PM

The reason why Denver is "in the mix" is that their Sports Commission has their act together. They are aggressive in their bids and they deliver the goods ($$$$). The 2008 Frozen Four received rave reviews from the NCAA and they encouraged Denver to bid again.

I think the NCAA would rather deal with a deep pocketed sports commission than a small school that might not be able to fund the guarantees. Plus its easier to deal with professionals who are used to hosting sporting events, conventions and trade shows.

Beantown6

09-15-2009, 03:28 PM

I think that by placing the even in cities like DC and Anaheim, you could argue that the committee isnt interested primarily in getting the event in a hockey-hotbed, but more so in a place that's going to be easy to get to, and have some fun stuff to do near by.

Why not New Orleans?

Ralph Baer

09-15-2009, 03:29 PM

I think that by placing the even in cities like DC and Anaheim, you could argue that the committee isnt interested primarily in getting the event in a hockey-hotbed, but more so in a place that's going to be easy to get to, and have some fun stuff to do near by.

Why not New Orleans?

rink size?

dggoddard

09-15-2009, 03:34 PM

rink size?New Orleans Arena seats 18,000 and has hosted hockey...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Arena

The now-defunct New Orleans Brass of the ECHL played in the New Orleans Arena their last three seasons before their demise in 2002.

mookie1995

09-15-2009, 03:40 PM

Chi/KC
Pitt
NO

not necessarily in that order

Sean Pickett

09-15-2009, 03:42 PM

Boston, Buffalo, Pittsburgh

Sean

blockski

09-15-2009, 03:43 PM

New Orleans Arena seats 18,000 and has hosted hockey...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Arena

It seats 18,000 for basketball. It seats 16,500 for arena football, which uses the same 200 x 85 surface that hockey does (and has a lot of obstructed views, I think).
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site571/2009/0804/20090804__ecct0804aflfold~5_GALLERY.JPG

moose97

09-15-2009, 03:43 PM

I think that by placing the even in cities like DC and Anaheim, you could argue that the committee isnt interested primarily in getting the event in a hockey-hotbed, but more so in a place that's going to be easy to get to, and have some fun stuff to do near by.

Why not New Orleans?

rink size?

New Orleans Arena doesn't list a hockey capacity (16,500 for arena football), and used to be the home for the New Orleans Brass of the ECHL... Anyone know if NOA still has icemaking capabilities, or if that was damaged in Katrina, and just not replaced?

On rink size, I'd agree that it's quite small, but the "stuff to do" factor would be rather high.

mookie1995

09-15-2009, 03:44 PM

I'd bet the worst NO view >>>>>>> best ford field view. ;)

blockski

09-15-2009, 03:46 PM

I'd bet the worst NO view >>>>>>> best ford field view. ;)

Doubtful.

At Ford Field, you'll still be able to see the whole rink - you just might be really far away.

In NO, you'd have whole sections blocked off. The capacity is already low, and would be lower if you count the seats that could see all of the ice.

moose97

09-15-2009, 03:48 PM

It seats 18,000 for basketball. It seats 16,500 for arena football, which uses the same 200 x 85 surface that hockey does (and has a lot of obstructed views, I think).
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site571/2009/0804/20090804__ecct0804aflfold~5_GALLERY.JPG

Yeah, that's not good...

mookie1995

09-15-2009, 03:55 PM

Then have it in the superdome!! :D

blockski

09-15-2009, 04:01 PM

Then have it in the superdome!! :D

NOW you're talkin. ;)

------

As an aside, Boston would be good to get back in the rotation, but only on the condition that they meet the NCAA's requirements. Other NHL arenas don't seem to have this problem, and they've done a much better job at hosting the event than Boston has.

Boston isn't owed anything.

------

I'd also like to see a NYC area bid - either for Newark or MSG. Newark, I think, would be just fine. Nice new building there, quick train ride to the city.

jmh

09-15-2009, 04:07 PM

Denver was pretty awesome, I'd be happy to go back. Chicago has the advantage of being pretty close to the geographical center of the part of the country that has NCAA hockey (except for the Alaska schools, anyway), plus novelty, which is also a factor in Pittsburgh's favor. Boston has obvious factors in its favor. I have to figure it'll be three of these four.

Oops, looks like Chicago isn't actually bidding, it was just an idea (a good one, I think) floated upthread. Some order of Pittsburgh, Boston, Denver, maybe? I don't know about anyone else, but I don't really have any interest in going back to Missouri. Same goes for Omaha, except without the word "back".

Federal League

09-15-2009, 04:08 PM

Actually, I change my vote. It should be here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Las_Vegas_Arena) every year for the rest of forever.